The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-11-30

" | ailus get ahead Of Nate, but don't see
what makes him so cross If he'd only
be pleasant to me, I'd do anything be
wanted me to-"
He looked up through the leatless
branches of the tall trees at the dull gray
sky.
I" b'lieve it's goin' to rain" he solilo-
quized.
1t was not yet year since Capt Davis
had brought his family to Hanover
Hitherto they had lived on small farm,
stony and unproductive, in one of the
Massachusetts coast towns But the pre-
ceding summer he had secured l4rge
tract of land, mostly woodland, not far
from Dartmouth College, of which he
hoped in time to make a productive
/ farm.
Twill be hard work and short ra-
tions at first, mother" he said to his
wife. Children and all must take hold
and work like beavers ; and by and by,
God willing, we shall have a good
! time.
And they had worked hard Even
Reuben, though not yet twelve, had
chopped wood in the forest until an un-
lucky blow with the axe had nearly cost
him two toes, and put summary end to
his labors.
Mrs Davis and her daughters spun
and wove homespun cloth. and made the
clothing and knit stockings for the fami-
ly. Their food was the simplest. Every
penny was saved for payment of one
hundred and fifty dollars was due in the
spring, and it was not easy to find the
money to meet it.
Capt Davis had sold wood in the vii
lage, and stabbed some of the horses be-
longing to the students of the college !;
for in those days when there were no
railways and but few stage routes, the
students used to ride on horseback 10 col
lege at the beginning Of the term, and
this was one of the many ways by which
Capt Davis had added to his scanty sup
ply of money
When Reuben reached home he paus-
ed for moment on the threshold, sur
prised at the unusual sight which met
his eyes The kitchen, Is usual, was
spotlessly clean. The fire burned bright
ly in the great open fireplace, a pot of
steaming hot bean-porridge swung from
the crane, and in bake-kettle before
the blazing fire johnny-cake was
baking.
But Mother Davis sat crying
had never seen his mother cry before
Capt Davis looked pale and stern. Polly
and Sally looked on with CONSERVATION
in their faces, and the great chest. in
which all the family treasures were kept,
stood open, and its contents were strewed
about the floor.
Il don't see how it could ha' happen
ed" sobbed Mather Davis Il hain't
never left the house alone as | know
of
Don't you remember, mother, you
walked up the road piece the other
evening, when the cow got out?" said
Polly.
"well, l want gone but few min
utes."
at was long enough for the mischief
TO be done, said Capt. Davis.
But who could have taken it ?" asked
sally.
q don't knaw as it makes much diff
ference who took it; the moneys gone.
And day after tomorrow it was to have
been paid. Unless we can find it am
afraid We shall lose the place"
"Can't you borrow it somewhere ?"
asked the wife.
. don't think much of borrowing
and, besides, | don't know where | could
get it."
Don't you think maybe some of the
boys took it for fun ?" asked Polly.
"0h, no." said Reuben, coming for
ward now for the first time. / am sure
they didn't
"Oh, you're there, are you?" said the
father, sharply. Well, you see what's
happened. The moneys gone. | didn't
mean any of you boys should know it
just yet and, since you've found it out
for yourself, you may keep it to your
self"
II won't say word about it, sir, until
you give me leave said Reuben. "Did
they take the mitten?"
Yes; small loss that is beside the
money What did you want of the nit
ten ?''
Il only thought" said Reuben " that,
if they took the mitten and We should
find it again, it might help US find the
money"
Mebbe it would,' replied the father
You look sharp for a mitten, viii
your
Pretty soon the other boys came in,
and the simple supper was quickly serv-
ed and eaten. Then Capt. Davis brought
out the great Bible and read chapter,
and offered fervent prayer and then
the family began to prepare for bed.
There were but two rooms in the Da-
Wis farm house the big kitchen or living
room, in which the cooking was done,
and where "a bed for Mr. and Mrs Davis
stood and smaller room opening from
it, where the loom upon which Mother
Davis wove was set up" and which
also held bed for Polly and Sally.
There was a trundle. bed for the little
ones, Ira and David, in the kitchen.
which was rolled under the big bed out
of the way during the day, and pulled
out into the middle of the room at night
Over all was the loft, reached by a ladder
and trap-door from the kitchen, where
the older boys slept.
Nathan and Moses sat down by their
window after bidding the family good
night, and waited until everything was
still Then they crept softly through
the window, out upon the roof of little
shed which adjoined the kitchen, and
from that swung themselves to the
ground. Reuben, who had been feigning
sleep, quickly followed, and, keeping
well out of sight, ran along little dis
tance behind, until they were joined by
a. l. Al